Codex Peitho Song Vol2¶
What follows are the memories and recollections of Peitho the Iridinian.
Written on the 3rd day of Allinius, 261.
Gather round, my dearest friends, and listen now to me.
There're yet more sagas to be sung: I sing of Iridine.
Recall you will, our heroes four, from different lands they hailed.
And all had met in Iridine to live this noble tale.
Their wounds now healed, the beast was slain, the victory complete.
But soon our noble heroes found, more troubles they must meet.
This time the danger would be dire! Will our heroes face defeat?
Listen now, I'll tell of all the trials that they beat.
Wise Demios, oft deep in thought, he had a crafty hunch,
About the esecarnus that envisaged our heroes as lunch.
While on the rocky outcrops, far off the beaten paths,
Sagacious Demios had noticed several sets of monstrous tracks.
With his suspicions he approached the other heroes with the news.
He suspected there was peril brewing in Monlon, like a stew.
The four discussed it grimly; they all knew what they must do.
So they buckled on their armor, and they fetched their weapons too,
And gravely once again reformed their fortune-seeking crew.
They journeyed up towards Monlon; it was a gloomy day.
Though none would dare admit it, sometimes heroes are afraid.
If the fears of Demios were right, and not in vain,
The heroes four all knew that day a reckoning would be made.
Our heroes stepped lightly through the town, and Hephaen gripped his pilum.
The warrior was prepared to face an array of vile villains.
Jyus wore an eye patch; it was a sign of his past fights.
In the coming battle, he would struggle with all his might.
Peitho readied his gladius, with its blade of boison metal.
The young swordsman in the last melee had truly proved his mettle.
Old Demios held his retalq sword, as they journeyed 'round a bend.
He would fight beside his three companions until the bitter end.
The heroes four crept through the rock, deep in the vast ravines.
They all tried carefully to be silent, to keep from being seen.
But Peitho, with the keenest eyes, he saw like a true scout,
A hooded man creeping cautiously along the stony mount.
The four gave chase, it was too late, and they feared they'd been discovered.
They followed after the hooded man as he swiftly dove for cover.
And as they heard the sound of growling they nervously glanced at each other.
Three esecarnii then stepped from the shadows, first two and then another.
Demios cried out after him, "Call off your vile hounds!"
"And perhaps with you we'll parley and thus save this holy town!"
Then turned the hooded man, and he said with a dark grin,
"Say your prayers to Ereal, for you'll never be seen again!"
With that the beasts let loose a roar, and our heroes braced for pain.
Demios's fears had proven right: these monsters had been trained!
The beasts all charged, our heroes fled, with no choice but to run.
Three esecarnii, you say? They'd nearly been killed by one!
The heroes ran as fast as they could, the beasts were giving chase.
They knew if they meant to survive this mess, they'd have to win the race.
Demios turned around and looked, resolve on his burnt face.
He knew that they would have no choice but to return to this dark place.
As our heroes four turned the corner, they came to a realization:
The barking had subsided and the beasts were no longer chasin'.
Hephaen then turned to his friends, with courage on his brave face,
"Those beasts would've not just let us go! Their master must have called off the chase!"
Demios nodded wisely, he had rightly guessed the score.
If they could manage to settle this now, the beasts would be trouble no more.
"I will go back down the tunnel, and see if he will discuss,
His goals and what he is after." At that Peitho proceeded to cuss!
"Demios, are you crazy? That's mad! We'll accompany you back down that hold."
Peitho feared for the life of his friend, and was sometimes foolhardily bold.
But Hephaen saw reason and held tight his spear. He knew Demios was correct.
"Dear Peitho, hold here! Give our Demios a chance. Against three such beasts we'd be wrecked."
Soon Peitho agreed and he gave his consent; the heroes conceded their fate.
The only hope now was that Demios the wise could save them before 'twas too late.
Jyus stood guard as Demios slipped away, to have bitter words with their foe.
Hephaen and Peitho waited for his return, they would move whenever he shouted, "Go!"
The three became nervous as time slipped away, with nary a sign of their friend.
They feared for the worst. Was Demios dead? Without him they'd no hope to defend,
Themselves against three great esecarnii, as well as their hooded master.
All they might do is run fast as they can, and hope the foul monsters werent faster.
Without warning they heard a great ruckus! Suddenly Demios raced 'round the corner!
"We must go now, my lads, the fight's done for today, without help we've no chance 'gainst this foreigner!"
"What ho!" said Peitho. "What's that then?" asked Hephaen. "Of what do you speak?" implored Jyus.
"Follow me," shouted Demios, "Those creatures, they hunger! If we don't leave now, they'll surely try us!"
"I fear that our foe is a Cineran spy, who is seeking dark secrets and lore,"
Demios explained to the other heroes as they hastily made for the door.
The heroes left in a hurry, they were glad to be living, they knew Ereal'd granted them luck.
"Don't worry now lads, we'll be back again soon, to stop these monsters from running amok!"
This song's nearly sung, we're almost at the end, but there's still a bit left to be said.
So return then once more, to find out what's in store, in this grand tale of danger and dread!